Cold & Flu

Family Adventure

GOAL:   Learn healthy habits to avoid getting common winter illnesses like the cold and flu.

The ADVENTURE:   Review the tips below and incorporate them into your daily habits.

TIPS:

  Recognize the efforts each family member makes to improve in the different healthy habits you are learning. For example, when you see them sneeze into their elbow instead of their hand thank them.

  Create a 'Healthy Habits Counter' for the family to track how many days the family can stay healthy. This is similar to what you see on the freeways- "45 Days accident free on Utah Highways".

If the budget allows you could say however many days in the month the family is 'illness free' then that many dollars is spent on something the family has been wanting. Of course, be careful to avoid this turning into the family being mad at the family member that picks up a bug and breaks the streak. This one may not work in some situations.

  A healthy snack like their favorite fruit, gogurt, celery and peanut butter is a nice way to reward healthy habits.

For little kids you can let them help make the healthy snack, like putting raisins on celery with peanut butter

Beat the Bug!!

Every day a child is absent from school, they miss out on valuable educational lessons. In addition, when they aren't feeling well it makes learning difficult.

STEPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY

Taking these simple steps for staying healthy during flu season can help stop germs from spreading —and children from missing school due to illnesses like cold and flu.

 Help prevent the spread of germs and protect yourself from contagious illnesses by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue cough or sneeze into the inside of your collar, or even into your sleeve (somewhere that won't have contact with others.

 Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

 Keep disinfecting wipes & disinfectant spray handy-- in your home, in your purse/bags, and send some to your child’s classroom for disinfecting germ hot spots like desks, chairs, door knobs and bathrooms.

 Avoid sick people and stay home if you are sick.

 Avoid other people who are coughing or sneezing.

 Help fight the spread of germs at home by diligently cleaning and disinfecting countertops and frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs and light switches.

 Disinfect items that your child brings home from school—such as backpacks—to help prevent germs from spreading to other surfaces in the home.

Pre-K Adventure

Little Adventurers can also learn healthy habits! Here are some ideas for making it fun!

  Teach them to sing a favorite song while they wash their hands . . . wrists . . .  forearms . . .

Let them help clean up the surfaces at home, and make it a game.

Teach them to cough into their arm or sleeve by making it a game. You could even provide a small treat the first few times you catch them doing it right on their own.

Community Engagement Adventure

Best way to take this one to the community--

  BE AN EXAMPLE!

Share, in a kind way, what you have learned with your friends and encourage them to follow these health safety rules as well. Let them know that the reason you want them to follow them is so that they don't get sick, because you care about them and want them to be happy and healthy!

You could also drop off a little 'Care Package' to someone in the neighborhood that is sick to help bring cheer during difficult times. This is a great opportunity for 'door ditching'-- set the package of goodies and a note of cheer at the front door, ring the doorbell, and run!

Teen Adventure

Teens-- remember that your siblings are always watching you! YOU play a key role in setting the example in your home on this one. Here are some ideas for how you can be a great support to your parents:

  BE THE EXAMPLE!

  Help younger children in a kind, loving way that will help them WANT to follow your advice on this.

If at first they don't quite listen, try- try again!  🙂

Photo Location

Take a photo of your healthy and happy family, doing something to help keep you that way, and post it to your social media sites with the hashtag #BeattheBug